It is important to note that the alpha article is written by one Edward Schneider. His background is in business MBA etc. Here is a brief resume:

Edward Schneider is a managing director of Quan Management LLC. Mr. Schneider has over 25 years of investment experience, including 18 years managing technology funds in both quoted equities and venture capital. Mr. Schneider holds a CFA designation, an MBA from Thunderbird and a BA from Emory University.

Thus his background is not in technology and, in the current climate, I would be reasonably confident he does not have an in-depth knowledge of the impasse Silicon is facing over the next few years. There have been similar comments from our old friend Joel Hruska in the last 6 months.

Now they are both perfectly entitled to their views. But, I am confident there is a Silicon impasse because all I have read on the subject clearly indicates it. There is a deal of apprehension arising in the semiconductor industry about it. I adhere to the view that the POET technology is innovatory and unique and has a method of solving this problem. I suspect, but do not know for certain, that those that want to overcome this impasse will be interested and will want to check out the claims made. If the claims of POET are true then it will be grasped and money forthcoming. Really, I don't think Schneider quite grasps the technology. In the end, investing is an act of faith and the omens, so far, are good. Don't be too worried by naysayers whose background is in business investment commenting on technology.

If it's any comfort, I am supposed to be an expert in joint revision surgery in orthopaedic surgery. I have a degree in medicine and higher qualifications in surgery and 35 years experience in the field, I have some reason to claim a modicum of expertise. I have read articles by alleged experts who comment on various aspects of this type of surgery and I am very aware of how off course some of them can be in assessing what works and what doesn't. But, in the end, the only people who know are those at the coal face who deal with it day in, day out. Edward Schneider does not dirty his hands at the coal face, take his commentary on GAAS semiconductors as probably uninformed ignorance. Listen to those who really do know what GAAS semiconductors offer, there are not huge numbers at the moment.

David